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Spartans -V- Inverness CT - Scottish Cup 4th Rnd

Scottish Cup 4th Round

In a hectic January schedule, we now have to fit in a 4th Round Scottish Cup tie against Edinburgh side Spartans. It should be going ahead on Saturday at Ainslie Park, a ground they share with Edinburgh City. Kick-off is timed at 3:00pm. The Caley Jags are in the middle of a fixture backlog after a few rescheduled games. Two postponed games at the start of January will see us embark on a run of four away games on the trot in the space of 10 days before a home game against Alloa on the 24th January. Having beaten Partick in the KDM Trophy, we have now added another home game (KDM) against Stenhousemuir on 27th/28th before we end January away to Queen of the South. That will be seven games in twenty-one days. Tough schedule by any standard but one which we should relish.
Regardless, back to our current status and it's off to the Vanloq Community Stadium to face the Spartans.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Scottish Cup v Spartans
KDM Trophy
Kieron Willox
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A sight we never thought we would ever see as Shinnie lifts the Cup


That was our victorious squad for the KDM Trophy shoot-out win at Firhill in midweek. Billy Mckay scored twice after Oscar MacIntyre opened our account in the first half. The main hero on the night was Ross Munro who saved two penalties. One during the first half which was in fact a triple save as he blocked the resultant follow ups and a brilliant save in the penalty shoot out to set up the win.
After a couple of postponements, we made heavy weather in knocking Tranent out of the Cup at the neutral venue of Millfield Park, Haddington. Mitchell Robertson and Chanka Zimba had us 2-1 ahead at the interval and that's how it remained. Tranent were well fired up for this one and that must give Spartans a boost as they will look to cause a cup shock.
Inverness have loaned back a former Academy graduate at the Caledonian Stadium. Kieron Willox, 19 years old, is from Nairn and began his career at Inverness Caledonian Thistle FC, progressing through our Academy before joining Scottish Premiership side Rangers at the age of 16 in 2022. During his time at Rangers, Kieron made appearances for the club’s Under-18s and B Team. He comes in from Stoke City.
Matchday Info
For fans making own way, Spartans FC suggest getting off the train at Waverly and getting a number 8 or 27 bus which will drop supporters off within a 5-minute walk of the ground. For those driving it would be parking in the sides streets around the stadium area. Away fans will use the Bain & Irvine stand at Spartans and any under 16 fans must be accompanied on entry and throughout the game by an adult.

Spartans last squad out was at home to Dumbarton FC on January 3rd. Bradley White opened the scoring as half time approached. Marc McNulty added a second with twenty minutes to go and that's how it ended in this League2 clash.
Like Tranent, Spartans won't be an easy route to the next round. Plenty experience at Ainslie Park, none moreso than former Caley Jag favourite and captain Sean Welsh. Marc McNulty seems to have been everywhere in his senior career except the old firm and at 33 he still has plenty of life left in him. James Craigen has also been around mostly just outside the premiership in his 34 years and Callum Booth has been at Hibs, Partick Thistle, St Johnstone and Dundee United amongst others during his 34 years.
Spartans are running away with League 2 at the moment, eight points clear of second place East Kilbride. They have the second best defensive record in that league and have won their last three League games.
They got to Round 4 of the Scottish Cup having eliminated East Kilbride 2-1 (McNulty ⚽⚽)and then Bonnyrigg Rose by the same score (Watson⚽ Stowe⚽)
From Wiki: Ainslie Park on Pilton Drive in north Edinburgh is the home ground of Spartans. The stadium has a capacity of 3,612 (504 seated). Ainslie Park is only part of the new project that Spartans have invested into their new ground, a wider development of the Spartans Community Football Academy. The new facility incorporates a fully enclosed stadium which meets SFA and SPFL criteria, with an artificial pitch, floodlights, seating for 504 spectators and an overall capacity of 3,612. Another full size, floodlit artificial pitch sits adjacent to the main playing area and the accommodation incorporates six changing rooms, a club room, committee room and a physio room. The Club ground holds a P.A system and a bar for spectators.
Who are the Spartans?
Founded: 1951
Home ground: The Vanloq Community Stadium
Manager: Douglas Samuel
Record attendance at City Park: 3,346 v St Mirren (5th February 2006)
Record attendance at The Vanloq Community Stadium: 3,127 v Manchester United (23rd July 2011)
Record attendance away from home: 11,615 v Aberdeen (21st September 2024)
Home colours: white shirt with red flash, red shorts, white socks
Away colours: navy shirts, navy shorts, navy socks


In a previous life, Caley played Spartans in the Scottish Cup in 1987 winning 5-0.
Goals by Urquhart, Robertson (x2), Hercher (x2)
Cheers Mantis, memories are made of this. What a find
Below images came from Mantis here on CTO







By tm4tj in Previews 2025-26 ·

Partick Thistle (2) 3-3 (4) Inverness CT - KDM Trophy - Last16

Jags KDM Spot Kick Joy

This game went ahead at the second time of asking after wintery weather saw last weeks scheduled fixture postponed. A daunting task ahead for the Caley Jags to take on the second highest ranked team left in the competition behind St Johnstone (who play Ross County tonight). Neither side had been setting the heather on fire recently with Inverness having two defeats and a draw over the last three and Partick with only one win over their last six league games and a 2-0 defeat at Dingwall last Friday.
Alfie Stewart has signed on again until the end of the season and started tonight amongst seven changes from the weekend. Much chopping and changing within the Caley Jags ranks recently which is one of the drawbacks of having such a big squad with our bench as strong as our starting XI. Patick Thistle handed first starts to defender Liam Dolan and midfielder Mathew Falconer.
Former Caley Jag favourite Logan Chalmers was a thorn in our side early on and he picked his spot from ten yards to open the scoring. Ross Munro made a double save off a Kyle Turner penalty and that woke us from our slumber. Oscar MacIntyre powered a header down and up into the net to level the scoring before Billy Mckay finished a tidy move to edge the Caley jags ahead before the interval. Two goals in a minute turned this game on it's head with Loughrey and Samuel benefitting from defensive slackness before Billy Mckay set us up for a penalty shoot-out.
Inverness progressed to last eight 4-2 from the spot.
Allan, Zimba, Billy & Spoony netting from 12 yards. Yay

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The first half chance fell to Lian Sole after he cut in from the right but he flashed a left footer high over the bar from 25 yards in the fourth minute. Kyle Turner did similar after 7 minutes firing high into the John Lambie stand. A minute later the first save of the night when Billy Mckay fired low and hard from the edge of the box but Budinauckas was able to get down to smother. Logan Chalmers scored after ten minutes opening his body to place the ball low behind Munro. He tried again a couple of minutes later but pulled a fierce shot a yard wide from the edge of the box. The hosts were controlling the pace of the game and it was no surprise when they were awarded a penalty when Savage tripped Alex Samuel who got onto a great wee ball into the box. Turner took the spot kick but just as he did on Saturday, the keeper was able to push it away to his right before he also blocked the rebound. Good double save from Munro. That lifted the visitors after a tentative start and after some good possession, Liam Sole did well on the wide right before he sent a deep cross where Oscar MacIntyre powered a header into the net with the keeper only able to palm it high into the net. Great goal and a boost for the Caley Jags. More good possession high up the park ended with Adam MacKinnon lashing a shot just over the bar. Partick again were wasteful from ten yards when Turner should have done better than shoot over the bar. Logan Chalmers has been one of the main dangers up front so far with half an hour gone with Liam Sole the most likely up front for Inverness to create something. Good bit of possession since MacIntyre scored and on a quick break out from defensive duties an exchange between Sole and Billy Mckay ended with Sole driving a low first time strike just wide. Seven minutes before the interval a ball into the box was back heeled by Alfie Bavidge into the path of Billy Mckay who guided his shot into the bottom corner for another superb goal.
HALF TIME: 1-2
Partick made changes at the interval hooking the two debutants to bring on the vastly experienced Tony Watt and newbie Cale Loughrey. Good run from Alex Samuels as he held off a couple of challenges but his parting shot found the side net from fifteen yards. Mitchell Robertson knocked the ball into the net following a free kick but was adjudged to be offside when scoring. Partick had a big shout for a penalty following a quick burst forward but nothing given. On the hour a great effort from Billy Mckay following some intricate possession flew just wide as the Parick defence held their breath. A point blank save from Munro denied a powerful Tony Watt header and from a second corner Cale Loughrey knocked in an equaliser from five yards. Patick looked more purposeful since the interval. Alas a slack back pass gifted Partick a third goal when Samuels intercepted to turn the game on it's head once more. Alfie Bavidge made his last contribution when he almost volleyed in a third for the visitors but Budinauckas stood tall to deny the striker. Zimba and Longstaff entered the game and Watt fired low and just wide for Partick. MacKinnon had a volley blocked by the Partick defence as we searched for a leveller. Still an open game with half chances at both ends as we entered the final ten minutes. First longer period of possession of late ended with Sole swinging a great cross into the box for prime predator Billy Mckay to knock behind the keeper and level the game. Spoony on for a final fling as the match headed towards penalty kicks.
A spot of bother for the Harry Wraggs as the Caley Jags won the shoot-out 4-2.
One superb penaly save by Ross Munro and Kyle Turner blasted his well over the bar.
Paul Allan, Zimba, Billy & Spoony netting from 12 yards. Yay
 FULL TIME: 3-3
 Inverness win penalty shoot-out 4-2

Here's King Billy

Date:  13/01/2026  Venue: Firhill, Wyre Stadium, Partick Attendance: 1370 Referee: Euan Anderson
 
Partick Thistle: 3 (2 pens)
Manager: Mark Wilson
Lineup:  Budinauckas; Logan, Dolan (Loughrey 46), McBeth, Reading, Fitzpatrick, Martin (Lets'osa 70),
Turner, Falconer (Watt 46), Chalmers, Samuel (Diack 75)
Subs (not used):  Clarke; Ashcroft, McPherson
Scorers: Chalmers (11), Loughrey (61), Samuel (62)
Booked: none
Sent Off: none
Inverness CT: 3 (4 pens)
Manager: Scott Kellacher
Lineup:  Munro; Millen, Robertson, Savage, McIntyre, Sole (Wotherspoon 85), Alonge (Longstaff 70),
Stewart (Allan 85), MacKinnon, B Mckay, Bavidge (Zimba 70)
Subs (not used): Ross; S Thompson, MacLeod, Devine, Chalmers
Scorers: MacIntyre (23), Mckay (39, 84)
Booked: Robertson (9), Savage (17)
Sent Off: none

By tm4tj in Reports 2025-26 ·

Partick Thistle -V- Inverness CT - KDM Trophy

KDM @ FIRHILL

We try again


Weather permitting, the Caley Jags will face the Harry Wraggs in the last 16 of the KDM Trophy at the Wyre Stadium at Firhill on Tuesday night. The snow was aplenty up North but Partick managed to play against Morton at the weekend with a stirring three goal comeback in a five goal encounter whilst we were snowed off in our home game versus Peterhead. However, don't fret if you are snowbound in the North. Should the game go ahead, the full match will be shown live on BBC Alba with a 7:45pm kick-off.
The original fixture was scheduled for 6th January but was postponed due to weather and travel conditions but the big thaw is on and we should be going ahead a week later on Tuesday 13th of January with a 19:45 Kick-off. It was also due to be screened live by BBC Alba but that is unlikely now. Since the original date, Partick went down 2-0 at Dingwall last Friday night with former Caley Jag Jay Henderson bagging two first half goals.
We faltered again away to Cove Rangers on Saturday afternoon and had Ross Munro to thank for a 96th minute penalty save to earn a point in a 0-0 draw. No wins in three for the Caley Jags but Chanka Zimba returned to the starting XI after a thigh injury.
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Match/Ticket/Bus/Info
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

That was our team we put out against Montrose in League1 action although we have previously tweaked our side for KDM games. Logan Ross usually gets the gloves but we are in with the big boys this time so Kells and Billy will make the call on that one as we look to progress.
Our last KDM game was a bit of a mismatch as we thrashed Dumbarton 9-0 at the Rock, a record breaking score for the Caley Jags. However, we were found wanting in our next two League1 games going down away to Stenhousemuir and Montrose.
Partick will be another step up in quality and if we are serious about progressing, then we need to put a strong starting XI on the park. We gave them a game in an early pre-season encounter, but we can't read too much into that.
Two early goals from Trialist 'A' believed to be Destiny Ojo, got Inverness off to a great start at Petershill in this pre-season game against Partick Thistle. He scored in the 9th minute when Partick lost possession in midfield and Wotherspoon advanced before slipping a pass through to Ojo who found the net with a tidy finish. Another error and it's another goal for Ojo. He benefitted from the error and he took the ball round Budinauckas before rolling it into the net. It remained that score up to the interval.
HALF TIME 0-2
Three quickfire goals from Stanway, Chalmers and Stanway again put Partick ahead within 8 minutes of the restart. Stanway knocked in from close range and a minute later Chalmers, from the edge of the box, found the back of the net with an excellent finish high to the keeper's right. It got worse two minutes later when Stanway received the ball from Crawford on the right and and he fired high into the top right hand corner of the net. Three in three minutes, and that's how it ended. Looks like most subs from both sides got a game. FULL TIME: 3-2

Partick's team that beat Morton 3-2 coming from 2-0 down to take the three points at the weekend. Stanway, Turner and Tony Watt with a 94th minute strike rounding of the comeback at the death.
Against County Oisin Smyth replaced Fitzpatrick in the starting XI but he has since returned to parent club St Mirren. Partick went down 2-0 at Dingwall last Friday night with former Caley Jag Jay Henderson bagging two first half goals.
Let's not forget that despite an erratic set of results recently, Partick are still second behind St Johnstone in the Championship despite just one League win in their last six and three draws and two losses.
Mark Wilson bemoaned at Dingwall:
"If you start a game like that then it's incredibly difficult to get a foothold... We just didn't deal with those two moments well enough and gave ourselves too much of a mountain to climb."
One would expect Partick to have enough in the tank to see off the Caley Jags, but the underdog tag suits us better.
Logan Chalmers and Alex Samuels are both at Firhill.
Partick edged out Cove Rangers 1-2 in the last round with Kyle Turner and Alex Samuel getting the goals.


Here's who started in that one


Goalkeeper
1
Lewis Budinauckas
Defender
2
Cammy Logan
3
Patrick Reading
19
Luke McBeth
20
Daniel O'Reilly
Midfielder
4
Scott Martin
6
Kyle Turner 24‎'‎ ⚽
26
Ben Stanway
Forward
9
Alex Samuel 27‎'‎⚽
10
Logan Chalmers ‎
11
Steven Lawless




By tm4tj in Previews 2025-26 ·

Cove Rangers 0-0 Inverness CT - League 1

Munro gets us out of Jail

First game of 2026 for both clubs with something to prove. Cove looking to show their last two games were not a flash in the pan and Inverness hoping to show their last two were just a flush in the pan. Plenty of doubt over the state of the pitch and surrounding areas given the recent Arctic weather but some hard graft has shifted tons of snow to enable the game to go ahead, so well done everyone at Cove. Inverness had won both of the previous encounters this season by 1-0. Ross Millen was suspended and Alfie Stewart's contract has still to be sorted. Chanka Zimba returned to the starting XI to lead the line with Sole, Mckay and Bavidge on the bench. Cove had a sturdy looking squad on the field with Chris Maguire, Adam Emslie and Mitch Megginson big threats up front.
As it turned out, we had to rely on Ross Munro for a point as he saved a penalty at the death from Reuben McAllister.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A brisk afternoon at Altens as the game got underway with a few mounds of snow in front of the stands and Cove in blue with the Caley Jags in the pink. There was an early warning for the Caley Jags when Mitch Megginson hit the post from inside the box when put through on goal by former Aberdeen player Chris Maguire in the fourth minute. The response from the visitors was a great ball in from Mitchell Robertson that was close to finding Chanka Zimba in the box. Luis Longstaff found Adam MacKinnon in the box but he knocked wide from ten yards. The visitors forced a couple of corners to no avail as we passed the first quarter of the game with the pressure mounting on the home box. A Joe Chalmers free kick came off the post before Zimba's follow up was saved by Robbie Mutch in goal. Joe Chalmers shot wide after good work by Calum MacLeod. Ten minutes before the break Ross Munro was called into action to save from Megginson as he shot on the turn but the keeper wasn't overly troubled. Allan then saw Mutch save his effort before Munro denied Megginson at the other end with a good stop as half time approached and then had to save from Maguire as the hosts finished the half strongly. Not much in it at the break.
HALF TIME: 0-0
 Strachan replaced Parker at the interval but it was the visitors that got the first couple of attempt away through Zimba with Mutch saving from a tight angle then denying Zimba off Wotherspoon's cross. The Caley Jags were pressing for an opener and Chalmers saw Mutch save his attempt. Big shout for a penalty for the visitors but the free kick was given outside the box which Paul Allan took and the busier keeper Robbie Mutch gathered. A bit of composure needed here from both sides as Maguire shot wide for the hosts. On came the cavalry with Liam Sole and Alfie Bavidge replacing Spoony and Longstaff with twenty minutes remaining. Billy Mckay was on for MacKinnon and Mutch was soon saving from him as the clock ticked down. Danny Devine had his header saved off Paul Allan's corner with five minutes to go. Adam Emslie missed the target after ninety minutes, but there was even more late drama as Cove were awarded a penalty after a Mitchell Robertson shove. Fortunately Ross Munro saved the day in the bottom corner from substitute Reuben McAllister in the 97th minute and Paul Allan was alert enough to stop McAllister from getting cleanly onto the loose ball. Yay I suppose
FULL TIME: 0-0
Whilst we were faffing about at Cove, Stenhousemuir were stretching their lead at the top with a 5-0 thumping of East Fife and Queen of the South came from behind to beat Kelty Hearts 3-1.
We had Ross Munro to thank for gaining a point with that late penalty save and good reaction from Paul Allan who kept alert to disrupt McAllister as he tried to get on the end of the rebound from the keeper.
Alas, it's another disappointing result as our season falters. No wins in three now and three points behind Stenhousemuir who are on the longest unbeaten run across the SPFL and sixteen games unbeaten at Ochilview and counting, and starting to impress in the scoring stats
The natives are getting a bit restless of late with our continuing profligacy in front of goal as we squander chance after chance. It's getting a bit tedious now and with a difficult run of cup and league games coming up we could be in for an even bumpier ride.
January games still to come:
13th: away to Partick in KDM
17th: away to Spartans Scottish Cup
20th: away to East Fife League
24th: Home to Alloa
31st: away to QotS

Pos
Team
Pld
Gd
Pts
1
Ste
21
12
37
2
ICTFC
19
20
34
3
QotS
21
4
34
4
Alloa
20
10
30
5
P'Head
19
-11
26
6
E Fife
19
-8
25
7
Monty
19
-9
24
8
Cove
20
-4
17
9
Accies
19
12
16
10
Kelty
21
-26
13

No Listen>>> More points dropped


Date:  10/01/2026  Venue: Balmoral Stadium, Altens Attendance: 0575 Referee: Jordan Curran
 
Cove Rangers: 0
Manager: Paul Hartley
Lineup: Mutch; Bisland, J Eguaibor, Parker (Strachan 46), Doyle, O'Donnell (Fyvie 72), Yule,
Harrington, Emslie, Maguire (D Eguaibor 72), Megginson (McAllister 92)
Subs (not used): Demus;
Scorers: none
Booked: Parker (21), Maguire (70), D Eguaibor (90+4)
Sent Off: none
Inverness CT: 0
Manager: Scott Kellacher
Lineup:  Munro; MacLeod, Devine, Savage, Robertson, Longstaff (Bavidge 67), Allan, Chalmers,
MacKinnon (B Mckay 80), Wotherspoon (Sole 67), Zimba
Subs (not used): Ross; S Thompson, McIntyre, Alonge
Scorers: none
Booked: Savage (90+4)
Sent Off: none

By tm4tj in Reports 2025-26 ·

Cove Rangers -V- Inverness CT - League1 - Preview

Game on Apparently

Snow Show or No Show?

That is the question? I'm afraid it's another weather permitting weekend as we are due to face Cove Rangers in the middle of the Arctic freeze at Balmoor. The Caley Jags have not played since the back to back defeats against Stenhousemuir and Montrose, the last game played at Links Park on 27th December where we squandered numerous opportunities to take something from a less than clinical performance against Montrose. That result, coupled with Stenhousemuir beating Queen of the South sees the Warriors top the table in the first week of 2026.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Match/Ticket/Travel/Info
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
What's the chances??? Good apparently!!!


If it's a No Show in the Snow yer no getting a Preview you know
Yer still no getting a full Preview, it's too late now...
That was our starting XI at Links Park where we went down 2-1 after going in front through a great strike from Alfie Stewart, whom we are still trying to tie down for the rest of the season.
League1 last six
ICTFC 1-0 Cove✔️
ICTFC 4-0 QotS✔️
Alloa 1-1 ICTFC✔️
ICTFC 4-0 Accies✔️
Stenny 1-0 ICTFC❌
Monty 2-1 ICTFC❌
On the plus side, the break might have given Chanka Zimba the time he needs to get back to full fitness.
TICKET INFO 
Tickets available online from: https://coverangersfc.com/tickets-away/
Adult: £15
Concession (Over 60/Students): £9
Youth (12-17): £6
Under 12: Free
All children 12 and Under MUST be accompanied by a person over the age of 16.
ICT Supporters Travel Club 🚍
The Bus is £20 per seat and leaves the Sarens PSG Stadium at 10.30am
Book through Facebook or on 07462218717.

Cove team that thumped Peterhead in the North East Festive hammering.
Cove appear to be a recovering beast recently and have won their last two games with 11 points from their last six. The Caley Jags have 10 points over the same period. Those two wins saw nine goals scored in the 4-0 win at Peterhead and a brilliant 5-2 win at Kelty Hearts whilst we were going down to Stenhousemuir and Montrose.
Cove pulled off a superb result in the Scottish Cup dumping runaway Championship leaders St Johnstone out of the competition. Adam Emslie scored an extra-time winner after Mitch Megginson had levelled the match with twenty minutes to go.
These two are important players for Cove and it would be prudent to keep a close eye on them.
Balmoral Stadium is located in Altens in the South of Aberdeen and is easily accessible from the North, South and via the Aberdeen Western Periphery Route (AWPR).
There is a small car park at the stadium. Street parking is also available on the surrounding industrial estate.
The all-weather pitch is the exact dimensions of Hampden Park, Scotland’s national stadium. The Stadium was opened in 2018.

Matches at Alloa & Peterhead now Postponed
Pos
Team
Pld
Gd
Pts
1
Ste😮
20
7
34
2
ICTFC
18
20
33
3
QotS
20
2
31
4
Alloa
20
10
30
5
P'Head
19
-11
26
6
E Fife
18
-3
25
7
Monty
19
-9
24
8
Accies
19
12
16
9
Cove
19
-4
16
10
Kelty
20
-24
13




Great effort to get the pitch clear for this game to go ahead 👏
A massive thank you to the following who helped clear the pitch in preparation for the game: CRFC Staff Phil Sinclair from John Lawrie Metals Andrew Strachan Lyall Strachan Scott Davidson Ian Yule Due to the heavy snow fall, there will be limited access to our car park. We are sorry for the inconvenience caused.

By tm4tj in Previews 2025-26 ·

Partick Thistle -V- Inverness CT - KDM Trophy

KDM @ FIRHILL

Weather permitting, the Caley Jags will face the Harry Wraggs in the last 16 of the KDM Trophy at the Wyre Stadium at Firhill on Tuesday night. The snow is aplenty up North but Partick managed to play against Morton at the weekend with a stirring three goal comeback in a five goal encounter whilst we were snowed off in our home game versus Peterhead. However, don't fret if you are snowbound in the North. Should the game go ahead, the full match will be shown live on BBC Alba with a 7:45pm kick-off.
There will be a pitch inspection at 11:00am at Firhill, with another few games also in doubt @ Ayr United, Arbroath, Queens Park and Stirling Albion. St Johnstone v Ross County will be worth keeping an eye on and Raith v QotS if you are looking for Cup shocks


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Match/Ticket/Bus/Info
📺 Live on BBC Alba 📺
⛄ Pitch Inspection ⛄
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

That was our last team we put out against Montrose in League1 action although we have previously tweaked our side for KDM games. Logan Ross usually gets the gloves but we are in with the big boys this time so Kells and Billy will make the call on that one as we look to progress.
Our last KDM game was a bit of a mismatch as we thrashed Dumbarton 9-0 at the Rock, a record breaking score for the Caley Jags. However, we were found wanting in our next two League1 games going down away to Stenhousemuir and Montrose.
Partick will be another step up in quality and if we are serious about progressing, then we need to put a strong starting XI on the park. We gave them a game in an early pre-season encounter, but we can't read too much into that.
Two early goals from Trialist 'A' believed to be Destiny Ojo, got Inverness off to a great start at Petershill in this pre-season game against Partick Thistle. He scored in the 9th minute when Partick lost possession in midfield and Wotherspoon advanced before slipping a pass through to Ojo who found the net with a tidy finish. Another error and it's another goal for Ojo. He benefitted from the error and he took the ball round Budinauckas before rolling it into the net. It remained that score up to the interval.
HALF TIME 0-2
Three quickfire goals from Stanway, Chalmers and Stanway again put Partick ahead within 8 minutes of the restart. Stanway knocked in from close range and a minute later Chalmers, from the edge of the box, found the back of the net with an excellent finish high to the keeper's right. It got worse two minutes later when Stanway received the ball from Crawford on the right and and he fired high into the top right hand corner of the net. Three in three minutes, and that's how it ended. Looks like most subs from both sides got a game. FULL TIME: 3-2

Partick's team that beat Morton 3-2 coming from 2-0 down to take the three points at the weekend. Stanway, Turner and Tony Watt with a 94th minute strike rounding of the comeback at the death.
One would expect Partick to have enough in the tank to see off the Caley Jags, but the underdog tag suits us better.
Logan Chalmers and Alex Samuels are both at Firhill.
Partick edged out Cove Rangers 1-2 in the last round with Kyle Turner and Alex Samuel getting the goals.
Here's who started in that one
Partick Thistle
Goalkeeper
1
Lewis Budinauckas
Defender
2
Cammy Logan
3
Patrick Reading
19
Luke McBeth
20
Daniel O'Reilly
Midfielder
4
Scott Martin
6
Kyle Turner 24‎'‎ ⚽
26
Ben Stanway
Forward
9
Alex Samuel 27‎'‎⚽
10
Logan Chalmers ‎
11
Steven Lawless


By tm4tj in Previews 2025-26 ·

Inverness CT -V- Peterhead - League1

New Year without a bang

It was Peterhead that drew the short straw and will make the journey to the Highlands to bring coal, shortbread and a wee dram to the Caledonian SarensPSG Stadium on the 3rd of January 2026. Inverness topped the table as we entered a new year with the baying pack snapping at our heels after back to back defeats at Ochilview and Links Park. Hopefully getting back on the green green grass of home will give us a lift as 2026 kicks off. It never did Tom Jones any harm back in the day. Ross Millen will not be involved after his red card last week. Alfie Stewart is available for selection with his loan contract still under discussion. Chanka Zimba will hopefully get more game time as he nurses his injury and let's hope we can be more clinical in 2026.
Here's hoping the weather doesn't play a major factor in this fixture with colder weather due to sweep down from the North accompanied by strong winds and snow in places. Temperatures dropping as well. Take care out there! 
🚨Volunteers Wanted for Tomorrow 🚨
⛔ STAND DOWN, GAME OFFFFFFF ⛔
Any supporters available to assist with removing pitch covers, please head to the Sarens PSG Stadium at 9am tomorrow morning ahead of our game against Peterhead.
❄️⛄ Any assistance would be much appreciated 🔴🔵
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Match/Ticket/Bus/Bar/Info
West Stand Closed this Saturday
Jake Davidson contract extension
East Fife date 20th January
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Full Story in link above

Following our recent statement regarding the unacceptable conduct at our home match against Hamilton Academical on Saturday 13 December, the club can confirm that the West Stand will be closed for this Saturday’s William Hill League 1 fixture against Peterhead.
This decision follows the use of pyrotechnics in the West Stand at the last home match, during which a device entered the field of play and forced the referee to temporarily stop the game.
The club intends for the West Stand to reopen for our next home match against Alloa Athletic on Saturday 24th January. We hope this course of action demonstrates our zero-tolerance approach to unacceptable conduct and the use of pyrotechnics within the stadium.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Our festive lightweights at Links Park following on from the defeat at Ochilview. Plenty of endeavour but we lacked a clinical finish or five as we went down 2-1 to form side Montrose last weekend.
League1 last six
ICTFC 1-0 Cove✔️
ICTFC 4-0 QotS✔️
Alloa 1-1 ICTFC✔️
ICTFC 4-0 Accies✔️
Stenny 1-0 ICTFC❌
Monty 2-1 ICTFC❌
A third minute strike from Alfie Stewart got the visitors off to a great start in a first half full of missed opportunities. Blair Lyons tied the game on the hour with Ross Millen sent off in the aftermath of that goal. Stewart then smacked the underside of the bar. The winner came from Ker Waddell after 74 minutes. Meh!
Ross Millen will miss at least the next two games for his straight red card at Montrose after a bit of verbals saw him take the early bath.
The two previous encounters against Peterhead this season have seen the Caley Jags take all the points available. Our second game of the campaign gave the Caley Jags a 2-0 win over the Blue Toon and a 1-0 win at Balmoor in October. Wotherspoon and Sole were our scorers at home and Billy Mckay nicked the winner away from home.
Bar94 will be open and the usual Matchday Bus service provided by Stagecoach will be in operation.
BAR 94 
Bar 94 will open at 1200, with last orders at 1430 (the bar must be fully vacated by 1445).
The bar reopens at full time.
GETTING TO THE GAME 🚍
Stagecoach Service Buses will leave the Bus Station for the Stadium at 1245 and 1415.
Buses return from the Stadium to the Bus Station 10 minutes after the full time whistle and at 1800.
The bus fare is £2.70 single (contactless payments or cash accepted), and Over 60 / Disabled and Under 22 Concession passes are valid, giving free travel on the service to passholders.

Peterhead took a sore one in the North East festive derby against Cove Rangers going down 4-0 at home. Merry Xmas. The three defeats were all crushing blows conceeding 12 goals. Good win at Bayview though where a goal from Jason Brown was the difference between the sides. Flynn Duffy was red carded against Kelty but should be back for this one.
Last Six League1
P'Head 1-1 Monty➗
P'Head 1-4 Stenny❌
Alloa 4-0 P'Head❌
P'Head 3-2 Kelty✔️
E Fife 0-1 P'Head✔️
P'Head 0-4 Cove❌
They also went out of the KDM Trophy losing 2-1 at Ayr United on 9th Dec. After a 2-2 draw over 90mins, they were knocked out of the Scottish Cup by Morton on penalties.
Andy McCarthy could come back in after suspension and Adam Carnwath will be added to the squad as he returns from injury. Defender Josh Kerr will be pushing for a start after coming on in the defeat to Cove.
Fraser Mackie has since gone out on loan to Fraserburgh and striker Tom Horn has returned to Partick Thistle at the end of his loan.
Kieran Shanks is top scorer with seven League1 goals. Jason Brown has six and Max Barry and Cammy Smith both have three strikes.
Despite some indifferent results of late, Peterhead are only seven points off the top of the table.


Pos
Team
Pld
Gd
Pts
1
ICTFC
18
20
33
2
Stenny
19
5
31
3
Queens
19
4
31
4
Alloa
19
10
29
5
P'head
19
-11
26
6
E Fife
18
-3
25
7
Monty
19
-9
24
8
Accies
19
12
16
9
Cove
19
-4
16
10
Kelty
19
-24
12



By tm4tj in Previews 2025-26 ·

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